The evening world., 1887-11-14

DOTS OF the community on tne subject nave
brought out the point very clearly. For in
stance, when an EVENING WORLD reporter
waited on the Rev. Arthur Brooks, of the
Church of the Incarnation, in Madison
avenue, that gentleman in answer TO the in
quiry as to what his sentiments were on the
subject, replied:
:" am opposed to the opening of the
Museum on Sunday. l think it would be
the first step of several which would follow
and would be detrimental to the Christian
spirit in the community. Other things,
which certainly do not harmonize with the
proper observance of the day. would be
brought up and demanded on the same
grounds. That is the tendancy of the hour,
and l do not think that what would bring
about this state of things should be admitted.
For that reason ] nm opposed to this matter
of the Sunday opening"
Why a thing which is confessedly innocent,
and to the minds of thousands of intelligent,
upright citizens is beneficial, intellectually
and morally, should be opposed because it
Is possible that some may take advantage of
IT to push a point too far is not exactly clear.
Where an action or a situation is 30 closely
connected with wrong doing that it is NOR
ally impossible to admit it and escape the
commission of evil, any man of rectitude is
deservedly opposed to that action or situa-
ton. But there il nothing in the world that
does not admit of abuse. Men go to excess
in eating mt times, especially If they are ex-
posed to particularly good dinners but that
is no reason why good dinners should be
inveighed against.
The Rev. Dr. Maynard, F. r. II. s., a very
prominent divine and one of broad culture
and Jealous interest in promoting the we'll
being of humanity, gave expression to some
very decided views on this point.
" am in favor of opening the Museum on
sundays SAID he; have always thought
accessible to people on that day, Under,
stand me well. | am the fnrthest removed
from any indifference in the matter of due
observance of Sunday. believe that people
hould be attracted to church and should go
and be benefited by the service. But why
they should not go for certain hours in the
afternoon to n gallery where their minds are
elevated by beautiful creations and instructed
strange to me that among liberal minded
people there should be opposition to this. l
believe that there lies in true art n noble
inspiration. have gone into the Hermitage
in st. Petersburg, and in the galleries ut
Madrid, and / have found comfort and assist
ance from them. | might have felt a touch
of the lonesomeness that sometimes assails a
traveller, and the companionship with high
sipated it and recreated me.
Il would look on Philip III. and the memory
of his times and its struggles and achieve
ments would recur to my mind. ! saw the
sturdy figure of Charles V. and was led to re-
feet on his life as a product of his environ
ment. l do not wish a progressiveness
which is paid for by laxity. But how can
people be harmed by going to a place like
class that would be most likely to avail them
Sunday openingP fhe poorer people would
be subjected to a refining influence. I think
1t would be beneficial, and l am i'll favor of
it. l think you will And many of the clergy
men who are of the same mind"
This leaves very little doubt as to DIR. May
nard's position. His view is one entitled to
mind, large cultivation, and he is constantly
making the most earnest efforts, both in the
pulpit and on the lecture platform, for the
improvement of others.
Mr.. Richard M. Hunt, the architect, was
very hearty in his appreciation of this move
ment which is being made to secure the ben
eft of the people by throwing open the doors
of the Metropolitan.
Yes, am for it, by all means" he said;
think the efficacy Of the Museum would be
much greater if it were open on Sundays.
Some object to it on the ground Of the addi-
tional expense. Well, let them close it one
of the weekday openings and throw it open
argument. Shut it up on Monday. The
Lenore is not open on that day.
y Or course. there are certain objections
based on expediency. Some donations that
might come would possibly. be withhold if
the Sunday opening were in force. Well,
there is enough in the Museum to make a
very creditable display as it is, and it is bet
ter TO do more good with less, than less good
with more. Go ahead. l am i'll favor of the
move"
1t is a fact that even if nothing were added
to the treasures in the Museum at present, it
is, thanks to the generosity of the late bene-
factors, IA well. equipped Museum of Art, with
Again, there are those who would be more in
clined TO add to the treasures already in the
Museum by new donations if they saw its
field of good enlarged and applied to a larger
portion of the community.